CatRaF

Raphaël, aka CatRaF - The Chess Conqueror

Enter the curious realm of Raphaël, a chess player whose journey can only be described as a rollercoaster of cunning moves, hard-fought battles, and plenty of lessons learned (some the hard way). Known in the chess community as CatRaF, this player has faced thousands of intense rapid games, gradually climbing the ranks from humble beginnings to a peak rapid rating of 911 in April 2025. Not too shabby for someone whose rapid rating once dipped as low as 137!

CatRaF's style is an intriguing mix of resilience and risk-taking. With a comeback rate of an impressive 64.3%, Raphaël refuses to lay down arms early — stubbornly fighting through losses and turning the tide when least expected. They tend to average about 44 moves per win, suggesting a patient approach that bides time before striking decisively. Their most epic winning streak ever? A solid dozen games in a row – showing a streak of brilliance when the tactical stars align.

Speaking of tactics, when CatRaF loses a piece, their win rate afterward remains a respectable 42.7%. Clearly, Raphaël knows how to make lemons out of captured pawns. They do have a slightly low early resignation rate (8.3%) considering some players throw in the towel faster. Not our guy!

CatRaF has a fondness for several openings, thriving most with the Bishops Opening boasting a 54.5% win rate in rapid chess, and also wields the Scandinavian Defense almost like a secret weapon with nearly 50% wins in close to 400 games. This versatility keeps opponents guessing and occasionally leads to some beautifully chaotic games.

Recent Triumph on the Board

Just recently, on June 1st, 2025, CatRaF dazzled the online audience with a stunning victory over pufferfish453, winning by masterful checkmate in a lengthy and intense rapid game. It ended with an elegant final move after 36 moves of deep calculation and relentless pressure. There's nothing like delivering the final blow that smells like victory!

A Peek Into Their Psyche

Counting on pure grit and a dash of luck, Raphaël's psychological game is stable – their tilt factor (chess speak for "how much you rage quit") is a mild 10, meaning CatRaF keeps calm even when the board gets a bit fiery. Best time to challenge this player? Around 4 PM, when they're at peak sharpness and ready to pounce.

While CatRaF shines brighter with White pieces (50.7% win rate), they've still got some tricks up their sleeve playing Black, maintaining a respectable 46.4%. And when it's black to move, the opponents better watch their backs.

All in All

Raphaël is a proof that chess is a marathon, not a sprint. With tens of thousands of games under the belt, a steady climb in ratings, and a taste for both fierce offense and patient defense, CatRaF combines skill with a smidge of delightful unpredictability. Whether dismantling an opponent with the Scandinavian or stalking them with the Bishop's Opening, you'll always find Raphaël ready for the next challenge – probably munching snacks and plotting the next brilliant move.